The President underlined that, in a changing geopolitical environment, it was particularly important to continue NATO’s adaptation – which reinforces the Alliance’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emerging threats and challenges wherever they arise.
The launch of the NATO2030 process will upbuild vitally important transatlantic ties as well as consolidate unity and solidarity among the Allies. “As we seek to find the most appropriate and effective response to the newly emerging challenges, we need to maintain a credible deterrence and defense posture, without losing sight of Russia’s aggressive actions that threaten Euro-Atlantic security,” the President said.
Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that Lithuania was committed to the principle of allocating 2 percent of GDP for defense and that it intended to increase investment in security and defense to 2.5 percent by 2030. Lithuania has consistently complied with the requirement to assign 20 percent of its defense budget for military equipment and is actively involved in NATO missions and operations, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The President thanked NATO allies for stationing their forces in Lithuania and ensuring an uninterrupted air policing in the Baltic States during this difficult period. NATO’s enhanced forward presence battlegroup has been deployed to Lithuania for four years now.
The President also thanked NATO’s Secretary General for well-balanced strategic communication, which accentuated the Alliance’s defensive vigilance and readiness to deter threats in the region.
